Officials decide to extend Ga. 400 toll

Despite the fact that officials 20 years ago said a toll on Ga. Highway 400 would cease in 2011, state authorities on Friday agreed to extend the toll for another decade, according to published reports. With the decision by the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority, the 50 cent toll will remain in place until 2020.

Officials say they need the funding to pay for much-needed infrastructure improvements, according to media accounts.

Reports indicate the funds that state officials collect through the tolls will help fund a number of road projects, including an improved connection between Ga. 400 and Interstate 85, eliminating the need for some motorists to use surface streets to connect from one highway to another.

“Metro Atlanta and the Ga. 400 corridor have experienced phenomenal growth since this road first opened 20 years ago,” WGCL-TV quoted Gov. Sonny Perdue as saying. “While growth was expected, nobody could have foreseen the amount of growth that has taken place. Both the roadway and its interchanges are in desperate need of improvements to better manage traffic flow. A plan is in place and can now be implemented to make those much-needed improvements.”